Zara Phillips has had to withdraw from Team GB for this summer’s Olympics Games in Beijing following an injury to her horse Toytown.
Phillips doesn’t have a reserve horse and so has no choice but to withdraw, after Toytown sustained an undisclosed injury during training.
“I am very disappointed not to have the opportunity to ride at the Olympic Games and feel that Toytown deserved his chance to go,” Phillips said. “However, with horses these things happen and we still have a very strong team, I wish them every success.”
Simon Clegg, Team GB 2008 Chef de Mission said, “This must be a huge disappointment to Zara particularly following the pair’s success over the last few years. Naturally we now need to focus our full support on the rest of the team including Zara’s replacement and give them every opportunity of competing to their full in Hong Kong.”
It is unknown who will take Phillips’ spot at this stage but the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) will nominate a replacement and the British Olympic Association will make an announcement once it has been decided.
Will Connell, Team Leader for the Equestrian Team commented, “The British team are saddened by the news, especially for Zara and her team. We have a strong team of reserves and the team are now focused on trying to win medals.”
It is the second time that Phillips and Toytown have missed out on an Olympic Games, they had to withdraw from Athens 2004 after an injury to Toytown.
Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
